45ACP - XD vs. Glock 21, Your Thoughts

[Medic218]

I'm looking to pick up a .45 to use as a range toy and as a primary hunting sidearm.
I can get both for the same price to the money factor is a wash.
I already own and enjoy at one XD but I'm not married to them.
I'm open to the idea of trying something new and the Glock 21 fits the bill.
To me, they're essentially the same gun just made by different people with a few minor differences.
I could go either way here.

What's your take?

[rentz]

I really like my 21sf, got it from gtdist. Was an Leo trade in with night sights.
Might be worth seeing if they have any, price was a lot cheaper than new and it was in great shape

[RPB]

I like Glock but
I like the capacity of the XD45 with added pierce grip (15+1 in .45acp )
XD45 from factory is 13 + 1, just like the Glock though, and pierce grips sells Glock grip things to add capacity so ...
Either Glock or XD can use my sights (Advantagetacticalsights) but the Glock is easier to install/adjust sights
Either the Glock or the XD can use an internal red Guiderod laser, though green is easier to see anyway, and those are rail mounted
Either has available aftermarket parts/ ported barrels etc
Close to a toss up
If I hadn't gotten a super deal on an XD45 Stainless WITH a thumb safety (just to see what the big deal was about on XDs), I'd probably have bought a small .45 Glock... but then the Gen 1 Glock .45 I had that was the same size as the 10mm Glock did NOT fit my hand as well as the XD45 because front of the grip to back of the grip was longer so, I'd stick with an XD45 in full sized .45
Yep, I like my XD45, I just need to get the sights reinstalled so it doesn't shoot 2 feet low from a benchrest, I install my own Glock sights, but I don't have a jackhammer for the XD.

My advice .... whatever fits your hand best.
Shoot both if you can
Mine with ported extended barrel "felt" recoils about like a 9mm

[A-R]

Put Smith & Wesson M&P45 on your short list as well. Better grip/ergonomic design than either XD or Glock, IMHO.

[E.Marquez]

My advice .... whatever fits your hand best.
Shoot both if you can

That about sums it up

They both are quality, they both will go bang every time you pull the trigger.
They both will feed everything you give it.

My hand does not like glocks, nor do they point well for me.... so I would chooose the XDm .45 all day long.

But for you, shoot both, choose the one that feels better and shoots better.

[OldCannon]

Put Smith & Wesson M&P45 on your short list as well. Better grip/ergonomic design than either XD or Glock, IMHO.

I really like Glocks, but I have to agree with A-R. In terms of capacity/function, the XD, Glock, and M&P are better known for similarities than differences. However, each one has a very different grip angle. Try all 3 (most ranges that rent guns offer all three, although not necessarily in .45), and pick the one that feels best to you.

[CC Italian]

Try a 21SF first. How big are your paws? I have a Glock 20sf and I have medium palm with long skinny fingers. It is just to the point that I can hold and control it well. My buddy who has small hands and fingers can NOT even hold the SF model. You really need at least a medium hand to hold on to the 20/21sf and I couldn't even hold a non sf model. That being said in .45acp I would get an xd. The grip is so much better! The reason I got the large Glock was for the 10mm. 15-21 rounds of hot loaded 10mm is my hunting and backpacking sidearm.

Don't get me wrong I love my Springfield Champion in .45acp but the 10mm is a step up for woods carry and hunting even if it is a small step. As for hunting you can easily shoot the Texas dogs (deer) with .45acp. I can tell you personally that the 10mm will drop large pigs, mule deer and Javelina with no problem. My father’s friend hunts larger game and he has taken caribou and elk with a Glock 20 but I don't know what the upper limit is for .45acp? I assume the .45acp could do almost as well on most Texas small-medium game. Mr. Camp did a right up on how people shouldn't bash the 9mm for white tale hunting when people would say a .45acp minimum for deer. He pretty much proved that wrong.

The Glock is a great platform but the XD has a better grip by far imo. If you don’t have a big hand I would go with the XD in .45acp. Hope this helps a little.

Edit: FYI they also have a 460 Rowland kit for the xd if you decided the .45acp isn't enough for woods carry. I don't know if they have one for the M&P. But no matter what anybody tells you .45acp is more then enough for Texas game as a sidearm or backup. Large pigs and mule deer are the biggest things to take in Texas and the .45acp will do that with no problem. Far west Texas supposedly has black bear but I haven't seen any and I go out there 4 times a year to Davis mountains or Guadeloupe National Park. I do know that black bear sightings have become more common in far north east Texas near the Oklahoma, Arkansas border.

[Medic218]

I've also got a guy wanting to trade me his Sig P220.
Only having 8 rounds though is kind of a drawback in comparison.

[74novaman]

Can't go wrong with either choice IMO.

I'd go for the Glock, but there's nothing wrong with the XD.

[Jumping Frog]

I'm looking to pick up a .45 to use as a range toy and as a primary hunting sidearm.

What are you going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto?

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Nineteen Eleven

[C-dub]

I am partial to the Glocks and currently have the 21SF and 30SF. I have never shot or even held an XD. I might like it, but am happy with my Glocks and would like to keep things simple. If my finger is off the trigger the safety is on and if it is on the trigger the safety is off. That's simple enough even I can understand it.

[CC Italian]

Went to the range today and held a Glock 21 Gen 4 in my hand. WOW! Glock says it is the same grip diminsions as the 20/21 SF but to me it felt like a whole different gun. Supposedly the Gen 4 20 is out but in limited quantities. As soon as I can get a line on a Gen 4 20 I am going to get one! The 21 almost felt like a 17. It was nice. At least for a Glock.

[carlson1]

I would buy a Glock 21sf customized by Cold Bore.

Oh, by the way I have one I will sale.

I would buy a Glock, but just me.